Elf on the Shelf ultimate cheat sheet - 39 mischievous ideas your kids will love
Elf on the Shelf is a fun way to get children excited for the Christmas period, and for many families, it's become quite the tradition. But it also means that parents have to get seriously innovative with different ways to pose their elves, and sometimes, your creative juices may not be flowing.
Starting in 2005, but becoming incredibly popular in recent years, Elf on the Shelf is a family-friendly fun game where parents put a cheeky toy elf in a different position each day until December 25 for their kids to find - and the elves get up to all sorts of tomfoolery.
It's a great way to have fun with your children, without a huge expense - as once you've bought your elf, they're yours forever! And it adds another layer of Christmas magic alongside their advent calendar countdown.
The Elf on the Shelf is back... (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
...and cheekier than ever! (John Bazemore/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Coming up with a months-worth of ideas is no small feat, however, so here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing, and hopefully you'll get lots of Christmassy Elf on the Shelf inspiration - in no particular order...
1) In a hammock
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Making your elf a hammock out of toilet paper is a simple way of hiding him and will have the kids searching for ages. They won't expect him to be hidden on your towel rail, or under the sink, so it'll keep them busy.
2) Moustache prank
If your elf is insisting on being cheeky, find a picture of your child that's on display in the house, stick a fake moustache on them and make sure it's clear that the culprit is the elf! It'll have them in stitches.
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3) In your shoe rack
Rather than being naughty, your elf could encourage heartwarming deeds in your children this year. With the post-pandemic landscape and the cost of living crisis, many people are struggling, so getting your elf to be kind is one of the nicest things you can do.
Sharing her Elf on the Shelf idea, one mum wrote: "Last year I decided we weren't going to have a naughty elf but a good one instead that left little notes suggesting good deeds."
The elf is suggesting the children donate shoes that don't fit them properly anymore - utterly adorable!
4) Scavenger hunt
To extend the festive fun, put your elf with a box of candy canes with a note saying 'can you find all 12 candy canes?' At the end of the scavenger hunt, they can keep them to enjoy over the Christmas period.
'I don't want children staying up late at weekends - I really need adult time'
5) Elf in a slinky
If you have multiple elves, you could get your kids to race them down the stairs in slinkies! It will make them laugh, and keep them entertained for slightly longer.
6) Paper plane
Surprise your kids with the elves in paper planes (Lumistella Company/fivelittledoves)This could be a good way to re-introduce the elf to your family life. You could say he crash-landed from Lapland into your tree on a paper plane.
7) A letter from the elf
You could pen a letter 'from the elf' to your children, encouraging them to choose a toy that they don't play with anymore to benefit another child. It's another way the elf could spread some real Christmas cheer to those in need.
8) Hot chocolate night in
If your little ones have a sweet tooth, why not get your mysterious elf in on the action? The elf could sit on top of its very own little hot chocolate station with hot chocolate, marshmallows, and anything else you like to add to your winter-warming drinks. Drink up with the family, and enjoy!
9) Balloon and streamer barricade
This one isn't for the faint-hearted... surprise your kids with a balloon and streamer barricade at the door of their bedroom. Set your own early morning wake-up call with colourful balloons, streamers, and tape, then leave the party-loving elf somewhere up high to keep watch.
10) Reading time
Cuddle up and settle down with your children and the elves after they've 'chosen' a really fun book for your kids to read. Either read it to them, or get them to read it to you if they enjoy reading aloud. If you can, choose a festive story, or a story with a nice take-away message.
11) Googly eye prank
Hide the elf in the fridge and put some googly eyes on random products the elf is sat next to - it's simple, but will leave your kids in fits of laughter!
12) Twister night
It's the morning after the night before and it was a games night for your elf and your little one's other toys. Set up a Twister match using paper, some pens, and a few other toys as the opponents.
13) Hidden in the Christmas tree
Elf has been trying to climb up the tree yet again and has got stuck...but will your kids be able to spot him if he's camouflaged?
14) Snowball fight
Make your elf have a 'snowball fight' with some other Christmassy characters - but instead of snowballs, use marshmallows! You'll then have a delicious treat for afterwards (possibly to put in hot chocolate).
15) Elf on a wreath
Weather permitting, hang your elf from your wreath outside and watch your children's faces go from disappointed (because they've been unable to find him all morning) to ecstatic because they've seen him just before they go to school! It will brighten their day.
16) Drawing a picture
Grab the crayons, and some paper and start drawing something and make it look like your elf has been unleashing their inner artist. They could even draw a funny portrait of your child to give them a good giggle.
17) Wearing their shoes
Get a couple of rolls of wrapping paper and pop the legs of your elf inside each tube. Then pop each tube in your child's shoes. They'll find it hilarious.
18) Hidden in toilet paper
The elves love making mischief (Lumistella Company/fivelittledoves)Hide your elf in some loo roll, and decorate it as a snowman. It doubles up as a funny Christmas decoration for the bathroom too! You could even roll them down the stairs in the loo roll - your kids would find it hilarious.
19) Toothpaste-loving elf
If you're struggling to get your children to brush their teeth, it's time to get the elf to help out. If their festive friend has already squeezed some toothpaste onto their toothbrush, we bet they'll be a lot keener to go and brush their gnashers. You could also use this for other chores your children aren't too keen on but need to be done.
20) Elf in the bath
If you've got some spare cotton wool you could pop your elf in the sink and surround them with it to recreate a bubble bath. Leave some shampoo nearby so they can wash their hair - and some soap too.
21) Climbing the cupboards
If you've got some spare decorative bows left over after doing your Christmas wrapping, stick them to your kitchen cupboards and make your elf do some climbing!
22) Kit Kat jenga
The elves have made a kit kat jenga (Lumistella Company/fivelittledoves)Create a Jenga-style setup with your elves and let your little ones have a snack when they come in from school - but make them play the game with their elves first!
23) Elf pool party
Fill the bath or sink with some water, get the elf and a few other toys and pose them so it looks like they're having fun around the water side. You could even use some blue food colouring to make it look more realistic that they're by the pool.
24) Elf helping with the wrapping
Get the elves helping with wrapping the presents by either wrapping them up or popping them peaking out from - or falling into - a Christmas gift bag. They're not really 'helping', but they are entertaining!
25) Make them eggcited for Christmas
Doodle funny faces on your eggs in the fridge and pop your elf nearby and ask your kids to find the eggs in the morning. They'll have a surprise when they do!
26) Snow Angel Elf
The snow angel elf is seriously missing the north pole (Lumistella Company/fivelittledoves)If your elf is missing the north pole this Christmas, why not let the snow fall by grabbing some flour, and allowing them to do a snow angel in the flour? Your kids will be seriously impressed, and they'll be willing it to snow so they can make their own versions too!
27) Get the Elf some friends
If your little one has been extra good this year, and you've had your elf for quite some time now so you feel like it's paid for itself, you could get their elf a pal. From a plushie of their favourite animal to buying them a fairy friend, you can decide on your budget and buy accordingly.
28) A toothbrush stealing Elf
If your little one has a seriously cheeky sense of humour, they'll find the toothbrush-stealing elf absolutely hilarious. Write them a little note saying "I had an itch...so I borrows your butt scratcher", and position them with their toothbrush in a compromising position. Your little prankster will be howling with laughter.
29) Elf on an apple caterpillar
Move over the shelf, because this elf is riding an apple caterpillar. Simply get a pack of apples, get some googly eyes and some antenna and position your elf on the back of the caterpillar. What's more, your little one can take the apples to school during that week as a healthy snack.
30) Organise an Elf spa day
The Elf on the Shelf works incredibly hard during December, so the likelihood is that they'll need a bit of rest and relaxation. Lay them down and cut out some tiny cucumber slices to cover their eyes. You can even make a 'bubble bath' for them made of tiny marshmallows and light a candle for them, but make sure your kids look and don't touch. Go wild!
31) Leave a message from sweets
Let the cheeky elves leave your little one a message made out of sweets - you could even make a secret code that they can decipher if you're feeling extra. Once they've read the message, or worked it out, they're free to eat the sweets - later, once they've eaten their evening meal of course!
32) Hide them in the fridge
All you'll need for this one is a marker pen, some milk in the fridge, and some (slight) arty skills. The milk has gone rogue this Christmastime, and the elves were the ones to find him - and they wanted you to see him too! It's seriously punny, and your kids will love it.
33) Write a message on a mirror
The cheeky elves may have managed to get hold of a red lipstick that was just sitting on the side, and they've written a really cheeky message. Have they written a clue? Have they written something to make your little one smile, or laugh? You get to decide! Have fun with it.
34) Goodbye note
When it's time for the mischievous little Elf on the Shelf to wave their goodbyes on December 24, why not write your little one a goodbye note? Tell them how much fun the elf has had during the festive period, but it's time for them to head back to the North Pole - but fear not because they'll be back in no time.
35) Bring them a melted snowman
Oops...the snowman melted (Lumistella Company/fivelittledoves)Oh dear...things aren't looking very good for the cheeky elf. They adorably tried to bring your little one a snowman...but he melted. This will no doubt bring lots of giggles when your child realises how silly it is.
36) Tape them to the wall
We all know how mischievous the little elf can be, and they may need calming down despite the fact they've only just come back to play for the Christmas period. Tape them to the wall with the words 'I'm back' and let your kids squeal in delight as they realise it's *that* time of year.
37) Blend the elves
(Lumistella Company/fivelittledoves)It's that time of year when ITV's I'm a Celebrity is on, and despite the fact your kids are likely not watching it, they'll still probably be aware of it. Why not pop your elf in the blender and put a funny note on it? They'll be giggling and quickly wanting to help the elf escape.
38) Make elf watch 'Elf'
You'll have to be up early in the morning to make this one happen, but you can let your cheeky elf lay back and chill on the sofa while they watch elf. It'll leave your kids in stitches when they realise what their elf has decided to put on the telly.
39) Make the elves participate in school
The elves are apparently good teachers (Lumistella Company/fivelittledoves)The elves are very wise and have a lot to teach their pals, so why don't you set up an elf school? They can teach lessons like 'be cheeky'. Your children will be chuckling at the fact that their very own elves are teaching others, and it might motivate them more for their own school day.
Do you have any Elf on the Shelf ideas? Email: [email protected]
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